OBJECTIVE

To determine the level of 25(OH)D and assess the prevalence of deficiency, insufficiency, and optimal level of vitamin D in individuals of different age groups residing in Magadan.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 133 Caucasians and permanent residents of the North-Eastern region of Russia (Magadan), including 38 young males, 47 males of working age, and 48 elderly males. The serum level of 25(OH)D was measured using the Unicel DxI 800 automatic immunochemical analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA). The criteria of the clinical guidelines of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists (2016) were used to assess the prevalence of deficiency, insufficiency, and optimal vitamin D level.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The mean serum concentration of 25(OH)D in the examined young males was 51.2±1.9 nmol/L, 62.0±1.7 nmol/L in working-age males, and 63.6±2.1 nmol/L in elderly males. The analysis of the prevalence of deficiency, insufficiency, and optimal vitamin D concentration showed that in a sample of young males, males of working age, and elderly males, the deficiency was noted in 57±7%, 35±6%, and 32±6%, respectively. Insufficient vitamin D levels were observed in 33±6% of young males, 41±6% of working-age males, and 43±7% of elderly males. Only 10±4% of young males, 24±5% of working-age males, and 25±6% of elderly males had adequate vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSION

Our data are consistent with the high prevalence of inadequate vitamin D status; however, the frequency of deficiency and insufficiency of the vitamin D in the population of northerners was significantly lower than that of comparable groups of residents of the European and central parts of the Russian Federation and some other countries. Adolescents were the most vulnerable to vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency compared to the older residents of Northern regions.